Located in the desert, about two hours east from the coast, Palm Springs has long been a beloved getaway destination for the LA crowd and the mass of Coachella fans. With less than a two hour drive from the city, it’s a great place to unwind and destress. In warm weather hanging by the pool is the standard choice but there are plenty of options for a winter getaway too.
Palm Springs is a blend of wealthy retirees and an economy heavily reliant on tourism therefore shopping, restaurants, hotels and other service choices abound from standard priced to extravagant. It is also an area rich in hot springs, some located on hotel properties and some outside of the city in undeveloped areas.
If you have never been to Palm Springs your first stop should be the Visitor Center, the staff there is genuinely friendly and eager to help. Even if your trip is well planned out you can pick up free maps here and get advice from locals you might not find anywhere else.
One thing you should definitely put on your list is the aerial tramway, the biggest one in the world. It’s about a 10 minute ride to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, in a rotating car which holds a whooping 80 passengers at a time. Aside from the excitement of the steep climb you are also in for some pretty fabulous views.
My number one advice though is to go an a weekday when kids are in school, if your schedule permits. I happened to be there on a holiday weekend and the huge crowds, long lines at the few toilets, the grouchy, bossy staff greatly sullied our day. The ride itself however was quite amazing, even though there was some unpleasantness, it was worth trying it out at least once.
What else should you know?
*If you go in winter there is most likely snow at the top
*It is a very popular spot for families with small kids, be ready for the soundtrack that comes with them
*Printing out your ticket at home will not spare you from standing in line, you still need to pick up a timed boarding pass and endure the same wait as those purchasing tickets on the spot, at least that’s how it was the day we went.
*The cable cars are huge, but they also fill them with up to 80 passengers, it can be claustrophobia inducing if you are prone to it
*Food choices are limited up there and the lines long; bring your own food
*It is significantly colder and super windy at the top
*A few years ago a storm shut down the cable cars and left people stranded at the top for several hours in chilly December, so go prepared, with food, water, even emergency blankets can be a wise precaution, especially if you are taking kids.
Pioneer Town, a town built as an Old West movie set by a handful of investors, including Genre Autry and Roy Rogers, is another must see if you are in the area. “Mane Street” consists of buildings with false facades used in the movies, while a few of them house various shops inside. If you go on a weekday it is very likely you’ll find a ghost town. There is also a pretty famous restaurant with live music, Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, serving mostly ribs, barbecue and burgers.
Winter is a good time for hiking, either in the Canyons just on the outskirts of town or on a side trip to Joshua Tree National Park, about a 35 minute drive from Palm Springs.
Several hotels in Palm Springs and nearby have thermal pools so just because it is winter you don’t have to rule out a good soak if that is what you are longing for.
